He was appointed to be Secretary of State in 1947

One of the most interesting facts about George Marshall is that he was appointed to be Secretary of State in 1947. Truman appointed Marshall Secretary of State upon his return to the United States in early 1947. He was a great front-office personality since he was one of the most well-regarded and least politicized national leaders. He was appointed as the State Department's spokesman for the grandiose ambitions to rebuild Europe. He did not create the plans and paid little attention to details or negotiations. He was not current on foreign affairs. He was never a workaholic, according to one biographer. He delegated significant responsibilities to his deputies, particularly Under-Secretary Robert A. Lovett, and refused to be bothered by detail. His participation was further restricted by 1948 due to frailties building up. "The fact of the matter is that Lovett bears the principal burden as I get away whenever possible", Marshall explained.

Marshall resigned as Secretary of State on January 7, 1949, due to illness. Throughout his stint in the role, he was terribly weary. In late 1947, Dean Acheson described himself as "a four-engine bomber going only on one engine." Truman appointed him to the somewhat ceremonial posts of chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission and president of the American Red Cross.